Learning some great techniques with our My Acrylix Stamps!

Display Trays inspired by Lisa Stenz

When I first saw the display trays that Lisa Stenz had created (lisascreativecorner.blogspot.com), my jaw hit the floor!  I couldn't believe you could create such beautiful things with our new Display Trays.  With Lisa's permission, I have copied her Avonlea Display Tray almost to the letter (well, okay, I used the letter "E" for Eisenhour--ha ha).  If you'd like to make this project, you can sign up for my class on Thursday, Oct. 11th.  Cost is $32.  If you'd like to make this project at home, you'll need a Display Tray, the Avonlea paper packet, and the Avonlea Canvas Shapes.  You can add stamped images and accessorize to your liking.  I used our Colonial White Rosette Ribbon (Z1800), Slate Satin Polka Dot Ribbon (Z1802), Pearl Badge Buttons from the Wrangler Assortment (Z1780) and bling gems from the Boutique Assortment (Z1763).  Each slot in the Display Tray is 3 x 4 inches, so it's pretty easy cutting, and you'll only use a fraction of the paper from your paper packet.

 

 

This Christmas Display Tray was inspired by a printer's tray that Lisa Stenz made (you can find it on her blog, www.lisascreativecorner.blogspot.com ).  I used our Close to My Heart Display Tray (Z1750, $19.95), and embellished it with Pear & Partridge paper (X7162B, $9.95), the Pear & Partridge Glittery Rub-Ons (X7162C, $4.95), and the Dimensional Elements In Color-Holiday (Z1772, $5.95).  You'll use most of your Dimensional Elements, but you'll still have plenty of paper and rub-ons left to make other projects.   I'm offering this as a workshop class on Monday, Nov. 26th, 6 p.m. and the cost is $34.

Ideas for Halloween Treats!

 

I haven't done a Halloween workshop in years, but this year, we have so many cute stamps and papers for Halloween that I just couldn't resist.  If you'd like to sign up for my Halloween workshop, it's Tuesday, Oct. 2nd.  Cost for the class is $5 for materials plus a $10 minimum order.  The projects below are some of the things we'll be making.

 

 

These little nugget holders are not a new creation, but they're one of my favorite go-to items when I need a QUICK, simple treat holder.   It's the kind of item that you can crank out in masses!  To make this project, cut a 1 1/2 x 6 inch strip of cardstock (I used Sunset or Black).  Then, layer a 1 1/4 x 6 inch strip of coordinating patterned paper over it.  Score a line across the width of your strip 2 1/2 inches from each end.  Fold it up like a triangle.  Place a Hershey Nugget in the bottom (I use a glue dot or piece of double stick tape to hold it in place).  Punch two holes about 1/4 inch apart near the top of your treat holder--through both layers of cardstock.  Tie a piece of ribbon through the holes to hold it together.  Add a stamped image to the front of the treat holder.  I used the Perfect Fit-Halloween stamp set (B1413, $9.95).  I cut the circles with a 1 1/4 circle punch, but you can also cut them on your Cricut.  You can order any of these stamp sets on my website:  http://christina.ctmh.com

The CUTE paper I used on these treat holders came from my Spellbound Workshop on the Go Cricut Kit (G1040--$32.95).  This kit contains the most adorable paper, an exclusive stamp set, and instructions to make everything I have shown in the photo below--the "boo" banner, treat bags, cupcake liners, soda pop wraps, etc.  Plus, I had LOTS of paper left over, so I could make other fun projects!!  Note, to complete the projects from this kit shown below, you did need to have the Cricut Artiste Collection (Z1790, $99--and worth every penny)!!!  But, honestly, if you like to make Halloween projects, I would buy this kit even if I didn't own the cartridge because it has such awesome paper and a great stamp set!!

I've seen these M&M treat holders in several places and decided it was time to make one for myself.  You can get these 1 x 8 clear bags from a couple of different places.  I bought mine from www.clearbags.com, but one of my customers bought hers from www.GTBAG.com.  To make the project, just stack M&Ms in the color of your choice (I used their current autumn variety).  You want the regular size M&Ms.  I thought I could use the Peanut Butter ones because they're bigger, but they wouldn't quite fit.  Once you've filled up the bag, then add a topper.  Mine is made with the Perfect Fit Halloween stamp set.

The cat on my topper is cut from the new Cricut Artiste cartridge.

I got this project idea straight out of the Close to My Heart Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  The pouch is actually a card pattern cut from the new Artiste Cricut cartridge (p. 57, the "J" key) using our Kraft cardstock.  I used the "fit to page" key, and it came out about six inches tall.  The shapes on the front are also cut from the cartridge, and the stamp set is Magic Potions (C1509, $13.95). 

Here's another creation cut right off the Cricut Artiste cartridge.  The box is found on the "M" key (think M for movie night), 3D Object, 3 1/2 inches.  I used some of my paper from the Dotty for You paper pack to cut a smaller box and then cut the panels apart on that one to layer on each side of my black box.  The "Happy Halloween" and bat stamp come out of the Spellbound Workshop on the Go kit, and of course, there is a coordinating Cricut shape to go with this stamp! 
 

Playing with our September Stamp of the Month and the new alcohol based markers

So, I finally sat down to play with our new alcohol-based markers, and I was just blown away by how incredible they are. . .the color is so smooth, and it blends together with no streaks.  You can "layer" colors in a way that you never could with regular markers (check out the leaves).  I'm so excited!!  This card features the September Stamp of the Month.  I stamped the images in Staz-On black ink and colored them with our new alcohol-based markers.  NOTE:  Some of our new markers are not yet in stock--but many of the colors are.  When you purchase the markers, you receive two--two coordinating shades of the same color.  For our scarecrow friend, I used Autumn Terracotta, Indian Corn Blue, Honey, Creme Brulee, Cranberry and Olive.

September will be over before you know it!!  You can order this stamp set for only $5 with a $50 purchase--or you can purchase it for $17.95 alone.  To order, visit my website:  http://christina.ctmh.com
 

Cards from my Card Marathon

Card Marathon classes are my most popular workshops because we get to make practical cards that you can use!  We make 20 cards in one night--four each of five different designs.  My goal for this particular card marathon class was to let them sample some of our new paper packs.  If you'd like to attend a card marathon, my next one will be a Christmas Card Marathon in November.  I'm offering the class on three different nights.  November 5th & 6th are full, but I have openings on Thursday, November 8th.  Cost for the class is placing a $20 minimum order. . .that's a great deal for 20 cards!!

This caption features some Avonlea paper along with Juniper, Chocolate and Colonial White Cardstock.  The "Celebrate" stamp is from C1461 Sensational Seals ($13.95)--not a new stamp set, but definitely one worth having!  The damask frame behind it is from D1527 Perfect Fit--Frames set ($17.95).  All of the frames from this set can be cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge.

This was my favorite card that I designed for this workshop.  It uses Dakota paper, Rugged Dude stamp set (B1405, $9.95) and Just a Number (D1514, $17.95).  The pocket, from the Rugged Dude set, is stamped in Pacifica Ink.  To get the distressed look, first stamp your pocket in second generation Pacifica ink.  Then, ink the pocket again, but just roll the edges of the stamp image in full strength Pacifica ink-stamp it directly on top of the one you've already stamped.  Then, I stamped the stitch design in black ink.  The stars are cut in Barn Red and Pacifica using the Art Philosophy cartridge. 

My customers really liked this card because I let them select which speech bubble message they wanted to put on it.  The stamp set with the speech bubbles comes with the Artiste Cricut Collection--just cut the speech bubble on your Cricut and you're good to go.  The flower also came from the Artiste cartridge.  This card features paper from La Belle Vie paper packet.

I went back and forth on which card we would do at the card marathon, but I ended up picking the card on the right because it was SUPER FAST!  The banner is from the Cricut Artiste Collection, as is the bow on the card on the left.  The butterflies were cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Both cards feature paper from the Flirty paper pack.

Sorry that my photo is a little fuzzy on this one!  For my marathon class,  I cut the pieces for the card in the middle, but I showed them that they could rearrange, leave off or flip over the paper to create different looks.  The card features Clementine paper, along with Sorbet, Creme Brulee and Twilight cardstock. 

AVONLEA CARDMAKING WORKSHOP

 

Sign up for the Avonlea Cardmaking workshop on October 4th, and you can make 15 beautiful all-occaion cards in one night!  Cost for the class is $35 ($29.95 plus shipping/handling) for your card kit, which contains an EXCLUSIVE stamp set, color instructions, and all the paper and accessories you need to make these 15 cards.  Sign up by September 24th if you'd like to attend.  If you're long-distance, visit my website to purchase the Workshop on the Go Avonlea Cardmaking Kit (G1041).  If you're completing this workshop on your own, I recommend purchasing Chocolate, Slate and Smokey Plum stamp pads.